A worker at a manufacturing company died after falling through an unguarded snow-covered skylight.

The victim and a co-worker had offered to clear drifted snow from the flat roof of the company building. Snow depth varied from inches to several feet. Apparently the victim failed to see a three-foot (one-meter) square skylight and stepped on it. The plastic bubble broke and the victim fell 14 feet (four meters) to a concrete floor.

Here are some guidelines for preventing such fatalities:

• Install barrier guards around skylight openings.
• Lock all doors accessing unguarded rooftops.
• Learn to recognize and avoid unsafe conditions when performing tasks outside normal duties. This involves special training.